Movement Outsider Art

The term 'Outsider Art' was coined by Professor Roger Cardinal in 1972, who wanted an English term for “Art Brut," a French term literally meaning “raw art." This movement was initially named by French artist, Jean Dubuffet, who sought to describe a genre of art that explored polarised mental states, unorthodox ideas and illusions. Outsider art incorporates works created by artists without formal training, and who reject traditional artistic techniques. It is also heavily associated with children, mentally troubled artists who suffer with psychiatric disorders, socially reclusive individuals and misfits.

Jean Dubuffet was inspired by Prinzhorn's 1921 book Bildnerei de Geisteskranken (Artistry of the Mentally ill) which included thousands of artworks by mentally ill patients. This influenced Dubuffet to collect his own selection of mentally ill-inspired art, and unlike Prinhorn's book, Dubuffet's selection also included works by social hermits and outsiders; celebrating the individuals forgotten by society.

The surge in interest for Outsider Art grew from an increasing resentment towards the art world and extreme political ideologies. Artists during this period experienced and watched the atrocity caused by the World Wars, where false promises for a “better" quality of life shrouded these years. Additionally, basic human rights were widely disregarded during the war years, with barbaric and catastrophic philosophies such as Eugenics coming into practice. Artists sought to redefine and celebrate the individuals otherwise disregarded by society, honouring their supposed flaws and differences. The Outsider artists created a new way of seeing the humans failed by the war years.

There isn't a particular style associated with Outsider art, other than often fantastical depictions created by artists without formal training. In addition to this, artists do not usually refer to themselves as “Outsider Artists," it is a label usually given to the artist posthumously.

In contemporary art, Outsider art continues to be explored today with festivals like The Outsider Art Fair which is dedicated to the movement. The Outsider Art Fair is an international exhibition that features artists associated with Outsider Art, and occurs in New York and Paris each year.

Adolf Wölfli: (1864–1930), Swiss artist Wölfi, spent a large proportion of his adult life in a psychiatric hospital. It was during his institutionalisation that he created most of his drawings and musical compositions.

Jean Philippe Arthur Dubuffet: (1901 –1985) French painter and sculptor, Dubuffet founded the Outsider Art movement and embraced unconventional aesthetics and “low" art.

Scottie Wilson: (1888 – 1972), known for his intricately detailed works, Wilson is considered the spearhead of the Outsider Art movement during the 20th century. His works were collected by both Jean Dubuffet and Pablo Picasso.

Auguste Forestier: French sculptor and artist, Forestier was also confined to a psychiatric hospital for a number of years.

Celebrate the misfits marginalised by society, with their works that evoke a wonder only found in childhood. Explore our Outsider Art-inspired artists on Artsper now, through the works of Hector Peper, Jazzu and Joi Murugavell.

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Movement Outsider Art

Minotaure

Hop Basquiat

The Mirror

Eyes Sneers Mouth

Incased

Remeber Me

Enjambre

Bad Trip

Africa. Hornbill

La nymphe au faune

Les forces chthoniennes

Basquiat Roi

Cold ceramic composition

Skull pink

Tragon

Skull hand up

Alexander basquiat

Police Alt

Silence cannot be dispelled

1978 Parisiens sur fond vert Parisians

1969 Paris Orange Peintre au marché Painter at the market

Paris Orange 1966 - Les déménageurs bretons The movers

Elle et son prince charmant

The Earth is Beautiful

N°37

Good Boy

Voll aufgeregt - Tout excité

Portrait 9

Portrait 8

Portrait 11

Portrait 10

Fleurs

Let's go to bed

Sin Titulo V

Happiness propaganda

Ange Sacrifice

Le choc des civilisations

La fiancée du bout du monde

You are my rock

Lobi

Downtown street art scenester

Mask singer

Skull colors

Royal Basquiat

Symphonopolis

Thinking

Home balloon

Éternel été # 2

Perspectives enchevêtrées

Untitled 19

Blanquitos # 44

King Head Basquiat

The King Of Wands (Le Roi De Baton)

Le daufin - de la mer - le cobra indien

La mort de Macbeth

Macbeth : Le combat

Macbeth : La révolte

Macbeth : Le roi Malcolm

L'écharpe

Batman

La rivière de larmes aborigène

Le cycliste

La casquette

Together we are stronger

Tender Courage IV

Jonas Story, gravure originale